6 Reasons Why Hiking is Popular in Korea

One thing that shocked me on my first trip to South Korea were all the hills and mountains. You just never hear about the verdant hills of the Korean countryside or picturesque mountains of Seoul. But they really are!

Once you know about this little known, at least in the U.S., topographic fact about Korea, it’s easy to assume that there naturally would be a culture of outdoor enthusiasts. That this should be why hiking is so popular in Korea.

However, all because there are hills and mountains abound, doesn’t mean that people are going to want to get out and hike them. We’ve got tons of natural beauty in the U.S. and, although it’s appreciated by many, they are largely under appreciated.

So why is hiking so popular in Korea?

1. Health

   If there’s one thing that Koreans care about, it is their health. They spend money on anything from herbal pouch drinks to at-home acupuncture kits. So of course they’re going to get out and exercise. The actual act of walking outdoors is free so you might as well. It’s the cheapest of the health options. On any given morning, you’ll find droves of senior citizens with half-umbrella sized visors donned, ready to head up the mountain after a few old school calisthenics.

2. Camaraderie

   There’s definitely a sense of camaraderie during a hike or outing. People pack meals and drinks (usually the alcoholic variety) to have together. It’s a great excuse to have a mini-party. The work week is done and it’s time to let loose. Instead of tailgating, you can go hiking. It’s practically a national pastime.

3. Fashion

   Outdoor apparel and equipment are a big deal in Korea. Outdoor apparel is so popular that it’s worn even when not engaging in outdoor activities. After all, why should moisture wicking fabric only be used during hikes? People want to wear these fabrics even when they’re not hiking so it needs to look more like every day wear and not so Panama Jack-ish. And big companies know it. They redesigned so that outdoor apparel would be functional and fashionable. They even use celebrities to market their clothing lines.

   Marmot uses So Ji Sub. Merrell uses Kim Woo Bin. And outdoor apparel and equipment juggernaut, North Face has Song Joong Ki and Lee Yeon Hee to represent their apparel line. This is just to name a few.

   I can’t name a single famous mainstream actor who models an outdoor brand in the U.S. 🤔

4.  Show of Wealth

   Koreans embrace the latest technologies and fashion trends. And outdoor apparel marries those two perfectly with all the fancy sweat wicking and waterproofing yet it’s lightweight and breathable.

   So there’s a bit of a competition of putting on airs when heading out for a hike. It’s no wonder that the outdoor apparel industry would be a huge hit! Getting decked out in the latest and greatest in hiking apparel and gear shows that you can afford to do so. It’s not just one-upmanship but one-upmanship with practicality. It earns you the ultimate in bragging rights!

5. Community

   When you’re a hiker in Korea, you’re a part of this huge community of people who also like to hike. So you immediately have something in common with the average person on the street. It’s like being a fan of the same sports team.

   Instead of “I like that Yankees hat. Go Yankees!” It would be “I like that shirt. Is that the new Marmot?”

   Okay, it might not go exactly like that but you get the gist.

   It’s instant water cooler talk.

6. Ritual or Habit

   Couples go to the top of Mt. Namsan where Seoul Tower is located. At Seoul Tower, couples can write messages on locks, cellphone covers, and other placards to profess their love and attach them to fences and other designated areas. This is a rite of passage for couples making it to the 100 day mark in their relationship.

   Personally, I think it means more if the couple has to hike up the mountain. Isn’t it more symbolic having to surmount an obstacle to declare everlasting love? I’m just saying.

   Besides loving couples and families, there are many who go hiking solo just to get away from the hectic schedule of the work week. The outdoors provides a respite from all that. And after a while it feels like it becomes a habit, like brushing your teeth. It just feels like you have to do it or you just don’t feel right.

   Then there are some where it’s a part of their lifestyle. I remember hiking Seoraksan once, in eastern South Korea, and seeing a monk among the trees. I heard his chanting long before I saw him. He goes there daily to commune with nature and meditate. And I must say, his chanting in the background really did add a meditative mood to my hike.

Mountain Goats Don’t Have Anything on Korean Seniors

What’s interesting to me, besides the reasons why hiking is so popular in Korea, is the difficulty level of these hikes.

I’ve scaled, more like scrambled, a few mountains in South Korea and I’m always surprised at how many senior citizens are there. And they’re faster than me! The inclines are fairly steep and the distances are no joke either.

Whatever the reason, it’s admirable that so many Koreans, young or old, big or small, rich or poor, share a love for hiking. It makes me want to go hiking! Now, where are my fancy elaborately technical lightweight yet rugged trail shoes?…Oh wait, I don’t have any. 😣

Do you share a love of hiking too? Have you witnessed the ladies wearing ginormous visors in Korea about to go on a hike too? Share in the comments!